[pct-l] Chinook Pass to Snoqualmie Pass: How ugly is it?

[linsey]

Dear Carl,
Perhaps I am the only one on this list who enjoyed this part of the hike, which I saw in 2008, 2009 and 2010.  
That it is the least beautiful part of WA only speaks to how stunningly beautiful the rest of WA is. 
Granted, it is helpful that I've seen this landscape thru the redneck filter I had for ten years:  during this time I snowmobiled this area and let me just say that all those criss crossing logging roads are a winter wonderland paradise for the high speed snow machines.
The checkered logging areas have for the most part grown up and offer territorial views that would otherwise be obstructed by trees.  
There is also a long history of gold mining activity in the area as evidenced by the mining names such as Miner's Ridge, Bullion Basin, Placer Creek etc (In my opinion, mining destroyed the creeks before the logging did.)  
There are brilliant views of Tahoma (Mt Rainier) and I've seen Mountain Goats around Scout Pass.  
If you are there in fall, the huckleberry bushes provide a riot of color and astoundingly delicious berries. 
Sincerely,  Lollygag

[pct-l] Chinook Pass to Snoqualmie Pass: How ugly is it?Carl Siechert carlito at gmail.com 
Thu Jul 12 01:05:43 CDT 2012
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Some friends and I are considering hiking the northern part of WA Section
I, from Chinook Pass (Hwy 410) to Snoqualmie Pass (I-90). Then I read the
Wilderness Press description, which makes it sound like a battle zone where
you're lucky to find a standing tree, particularly in the last 40 miles or
so south of Snoqualmie. That was written several years ago, of course, and
I know that some timber activities have subsequently ceased and the trail
re-routed in some places. So to those of you who've hiked the area recently (i.e., in the last couple
of years): If you had only a week to hike this year, would you even
consider going to this industrial wasteland? Or is it better now? (How did we pick this section for consideration? Easy transportation from
friends in the area--but they don't know backcountry conditions.) Thanks,
Carl
1977 Kelty Kid